Be Present: The Benefits of Hiring a Professional for Family Photos
Today was one of those days where I felt more like a taxi driver than a mom. Between driving the kids to school, dropping off PTA stuff at the district office, picking up photography gear for the weekend sessions, and heading back home to grab swimsuits to drop the kids off at a friend’s house, I spent my whole morning in the car.
I was so tired of trying to find a good playlist to listen to, that I ended up listening some random podcast. It talked about how easily we get distracted these days with technology and how we rarely enjoy each moment of our lives. It was so true – instead of enjoying each moment, we just focus on getting that perfect picture for Instagram to get those little rewards called "Likes."
I catch myself doing that a lot. I take a great picture of my kids and then spend 20 minutes deciding on the perfect music for the post and, of course, making some tweaks because, as a professional photographer, I can't post something that’s not up to my standards right? After that, I get caught up in reels and by the time I realize it, my kids are off doing something else or, even worse, glued to their phones or the TV. So, was that photo or moment really meaningful to me? I guess not.
We all try, right? Nobody’s perfect, and living in a society, it’s tough to resist these trends. But as moms, we always have that "I will do better" mindset. Now, as I sit on my porch trying to get some work done with nothing much going on except for some squirrels passing by, I think about how my work as a photographer can help my clients become more present parents. Here are two ideas:
Mindful Photography Time: When I started photography, it was more like therapy for me. It still is, but now I have to think about so many details. When I do it just for fun, I find it very relaxing. I call it my mindful photography time. Some days, I let my kids know we’re going to the park, the lake, or just around the neighborhood, and I’ll take photos. It’s not time for me to play or watch their cartwheels or bring the dogs along. It’s my time to take photos. They do what they normally do – run around, play, laugh, fight, complain, and then go back to playing again. Watching them through my camera, I capture some really cool photos. Other days, I have my mindful time with the family, meaning no cell phones or cameras allowed (though sometimes I cheat and snap a quick picture). This is my time with them, and no matter how cool what they’re doing is or if it’s their first time doing it, I watch with my eyes. Do you think this is a WIN-WIN? You don’t have to be a professional photographer. Just set aside some time to record moments on your cellphone and some time to record them in your heart.
Hire a Professional Photographer: At least once, and if you can, twice a year, hire a photographer to capture your family. Having a photo is like going back in time, not just to that specific moment but to that stage of life. We can look at a photo of our kids smiling, and our brain will bring back a whole chapter of memories from that age. Most importantly, when you get a professional to take your photos, you actually get to be involved in the memories. You get to live that moment with them without thinking, "I need to get this on camera or I will miss it." Most of the photos we take ourselves get lost on our phones, and we end up paying extra for cloud storage to keep them safe. Let a professional take the photos. Maybe print an album and keep it in your family room. Enjoy the moment, feel it, love it, laugh, and have fun with your family. That moment is yours, and you won’t have to worry about anything but your family, be with them, look into their eyes, and record those memories in your heart while your photographer records them in the camera for you.
Sometimes we need to let go of technology and remember how important it is to just be in the moment. It’s easy to think that photographers are unnecessary now and that we can do everything ourselves because we have technology on our side, with available cameras that do everything for us. But think of it this way: the most important thing when photographing your family is being present and part of the moment. It's actually being part of the memories. If you’re always behind your cellphone, then you’re NOT.
So, are you ready to hire a professional for family photos and truly be part of the memories?
